Israel Thwarts Terrorist Plot Sponsored by Tehran
Israeli forces have disrupted a terrorist cell sponsored by Tehran, which was planning a series of attacks in Israel, including the assassination of National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. The Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet) revealed the details of the operation on Wednesday.
Major Focus:
- The terrorist cell, recruited by the Islamic Republic, comprised of three Palestinians and two Israeli citizens.
- The plotters sought to smuggle weapons into Israel and gather information on targets who advocated for Jewish prayer rights on the Temple Mount.
- The Israelis carried out a staged car arson attack in Haifa as a measure of their commitment to their Iranian handlers.
The Palestinian suspects were identified as Ziad Shanti, aged 45, and Hassan Mujarimah, aged 34, both from Jenin, and 47-year-old Murad Kamamaja from the nearby village of Kafr Dan. The two Israeli citizens involved were 23-year-old Hamad Hammadi from Nazareth and 18-year-old Yosef Hamad from Muqeible in the Gilboa region.
Why this matters:
- The foiled plot highlights Iran’s determination to carry out attacks against Israel and its supporters worldwide.
- The arrested individuals show a sophisticated network in which Palestinians recruit Israelis to carry out acts of violence.
- The incident underscores the ongoing threat faced by Israeli politicians and advocates of Jewish prayer rights on the Temple Mount.
According to the Shin Bet, Mujarimah and Kamamaja were directed by a Jordanian operative working for Iranian security services. Their mission was to smuggle weapons into Israel and gather information on Itamar Ben-Gvir and former Knesset member Yehudah Glick. Both individuals are known for their advocacy of Jewish prayer rights on the Temple Mount. However, due to heightened security around Ben-Gvir, Hammadi and Hamad were unable to approach him closely enough to obtain meaningful information.
The Shin Bet further revealed that Hamas informants Shanti, Hammadi, and Hamad were recruited successively by Mujarimah and Kamamaja, who openly acknowledged their Iranian handlers. To prove their loyalty and commitment to carrying out attacks, the Israelis recently set fire to a car in Haifa and filmed the incident, presenting the footage to their Iranian contacts.
What’s next:
- The Israeli government expressed gratitude to the Shin Bet and security services for exposing and capturing the terrorist cell.
- Itamar Ben-Gvir affirmed his commitment to fight terrorism, protect Israeli citizens, and advocate for Jewish prayer rights on the Temple Mount.
- Mossad director David Barnea recently disclosed that, along with international allies, the agency foiled 27 plots by Iran to murder Israelis and Jews outside of Israel this year.
“The plots being pursued by these [terrorist] teams were orchestrated, masterminded, and directed by Iran,” stated Barnea. He added the plots were carried out in various locations worldwide, including Europe, Africa, Southeast Asia, and South America. Barnea further presented video evidence that directly implicated Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in murder plots against Jews globally.
In response to this revelation, Barnea declared that Iran no longer has immunity and any harm caused to Israelis or Jews will result in a significant response against the perpetrators, from low-level operatives to the highest policymakers. He emphasized the willingness of Mossad to take retaliatory action within Iran, stating, “We will exact a price deep inside Iran, in the heart of Tehran.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant have also accused the Islamic Republic of orchestrating the recent surge in Palestinian terrorism.
Sources:
JNS